The Windward Islands secured a useful first innings lead to claim a slim advantage over Jamaica on the second day of their final-round match at the Edgar Gilbert Sports Complex yesterday.

Trailing by 46 runs on first innings, Jamaica, needing to score runs quickly to give them an outside chance of victory, were 104 for two at the close.

The Windward Islands had earlier been dismissed for 255 on the stroke of tea.

Openers Wayne Harper (51) and Lindon Lawrence (50) were the chief scorers with useful contributions coming from Dawnley Grant (48) and Keddy Lesparis (44).

For Jamaica, off-spinner Jamie Merchant, who exhibited excellent control and variation, was rewarded with four for 54. He got useful support from André Creary who chipped in with two for 22.

Beginning their second innings in the third session that saw a number of short interruptions because of rain, openers Christie Jones (33) and Horace Miller (20) again failed to capitalise on good starts. Both fell playing ill-advised strokes to off-spinner Dalton Polius.

Creary and Shacoya Thomas were unbeaten on 24.

The diminutive Polius, who wrecked the Jamaican first innings by taking eight for 96, has so far had a match haul of 10 for 151 with eight second-innings wickets remaining.

Continuing from their overnight 75 without loss, the Windwards added a promising 19 runs before losing Lawrence to a catch behind to wicketkeeper André Lindsay from Marlon Hoilette.

Wickets fell at regular intervals in the post-lunch session to keep the small crowd interested but an eighth-wicket partnership of 52 between Grant and Narine (10) carried the Windwards to the ascendancy.

AT CAYON: Guyana were well on course for a successful title defence after again getting the better of the exchanges on the second day of their final round match at Cayon yesterday.

When bad light stopped play, Barbados were 232 for nine in their second innings, enjoying a lead of 160 runs after Guyana, replying to the Barbados paltry first-innings score on 92, had slumped from their overnight 155 for six to 164 all out, 22 minutes into the day.

Captain Shamarh Brooks captured five for 58 with his leg-spin and got support from Stefan Gooding (2-22) as Guyana lost their last six wickets for 17 runs.

Led by enterprising half-centuries from Roger Williams (86) and Rashidi Boucher (73), Barbados quickly wiped off the 72-run deficit with attractive batting to give them a fighting chance of a consolation victory yesterday.

Skipper Steven Jacobs snatched three for 40 including the scalp of Brooks for a 'double duck' as Barbados slipped from their lofty position of 178 for two.

Leewards chase win

AT CONAREE: Hosts Leeward Islands, chasing a possible outright win, fought back gallantly against Trinidad and Tobago on the second day of their final-round TCL West Indies Under-19 Challenge yesterday.

After conceding a 22-run lead on first innings, the hosts, led by a century opening partnership from Kieron Powell (61 not out) and Chesney Hughes (42) were 107 for one, when rain stopped play with 14 overs remaining in the day.

The Leewards are 84 runs ahead with nine wickets remaining and will be looking to press ahead on the final day today.

Earlier, off-spinner Varoon Samaroo and medium-pacer Jervon Charles featured in a 10th wicket partnership of 47 to help their team earn a hard-fought first innings lead against their hosts.

Resuming at their overnight 65 for one, T&T, chasing the opposition's first innings total of 179, stumbled to 155 for nine but the talented duo thwarted the Leewards' hopes with intelligent batting and sensible running.

T&T were finally dismissed for 202, when Samaroo was caught in the deep by Kelbert Walters off Walsh for a well-played 40, made in 90 minutes with five fours and one six.

Off-spinner Terrence Ward was the top bowler for the Leewards with four for 48 and was well supported by wrist spinner Walsh with three for 33.